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Saturday, February 4, 2012

Sunday's Obituary - Who in the World is Benjamin Koss?

Well, perhaps I should rephrase that as, "Who is Benjamin Koss to my family?" None of the names in the obituary are in my family tree or even familiar to me. I can only imagine that this article was clipped because of his position in the community in which my husband's ancestors lived. A rather gruesome recounting of the death as well.

I don't know which paper it was published in (I'll add that to my list of things to check on!), but most of the articles that were passed on were from the Green Bay Press-Gazette. This one is hand-dated October 31, 1956. I have noticed that this usually refers to the date of death rather than of publication.

I won't completely rule out that this person may have a place in my family tree, but for now I'm thinking no. Perhaps the article will fit into another researcher's tree.

"Koss Killed In Accident With Sawmill

[Hand-dated Oct 31, 1956]

Town of Luxemburg Chairman; Funeral Rites Set Saturday

LUXEMBURG, Wis. - A portable sawmill accident Tuesday afternoon cost the life of Benjamin Koss, 45, of Luxemburg, Rt. 2. He was chairman of the Town of Luxemburg and chairman of the Kewaunee County highway committee.

Koss was feeding logs into the machine on the Allen Farm in the Town of Preble. A slab of wood kicked back and struck him below the chin, severing his jugular vein. He was dead on arrival at a Green Bay hospital.

The accident happened about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Owned Portable Mill

Mr. Koss, who operated a farm in the Town of Luxemburg, did custom sawing with a portable powered rig.

He was serving his third term as chairman of the Town of Luxemburg. Previously he had served two terms as town treasurer.

Mr. Koss was a member of the Luxemburg Court of the Catholic Order of Foresters and of the Holy Name Society of St. Odile Church, Thiry Daems.

He was born May 18, 1911, in the Town of Lincoln, Kewaunee County. In 1932 he married to Collette Junion in St. Odile Church.

Survived by Wife

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Karen, at home; four sons, Eben, Glen and Karl, all at home, and Gene, who is stationed with the U. S. Army at Ft. Lawton, Seattle, Wash.; one granddaughter, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Koss, Town of Lincoln.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Lee (Marie) Fett, and Mrs. Frank (Rita) Havel, both of the Town of Lincoln; and two brothers, John, Rio Creek, and Matt, Green Bay.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 Saturday morning at St. Odile Church, Thiry Daems. The Rev. Anthony J. Righino will officiate.

Friends may call at the Weisner-Massart Funeral Home, Casco, after 6 o'clock this evening. The Rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 8 o'clock this evening and Friday evening and 8:45 on Thursday evening."